(Aug. 21, 2014) – John Hawkins, senior vice president, public policy and advocacy at the Texas Hospital Association, testified last week before the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on the need for a private market-based coverage solution to the high rate of uninsured in the state. Emphasizing the $5 billion to $6 billion in hospital uncompensated care at cost that is being shifted onto the privately insured and local property taxpayers, Hawkins asked the committee to consider ways to connect low-wage working Texans with coverage while requiring personal responsibility.